The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued level one Travel Health Notices (THNs) due to a "highly contagious virus outbreak." Currently, 57 countries are affected by the outbreak, and travelers and residents are advised to follow hygiene precautions.
- Many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles.
- Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure or have not had measles in the past and travel internationally.
- The majority of measles cases imported into the United States occur in unvaccinated US residents who become infected during international travel.
- All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6-11 months, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .
- Travelers should seek medical care if they develop a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, or red, watery eyes. Measles is highly contagious. Travelers with suspected measles should notify the healthcare facility before visiting so staff can implement precautions to prevent spread within the facility.
What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing .
The measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace or on a surface after an infected person leaves an area. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected. People can spread measles up to four days before and four days after a rash.
Signs and symptoms of measles include maculopapular rash, high fever, and a cough, runny nose, or red, watery eyes.
Measles can be severe in all age groups and can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and death. Several groups are more likely to suffer from measles complications, including children younger than five years of age, adults older than 20 years of age, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems, such as from leukemia or HIV infection. Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis (infection of the brain).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued level one Travel Health Notices (THNs) due to a "highly contagious virus outbreak." Currently, 57 countries are affected by the outbreak, and travelers and residents are advised to follow hygiene precautions.
- Many international destinations are reporting increased numbers of cases of measles.
- Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure or have not had measles in the past and travel internationally.
- The majority of measles cases imported into the United States occur in unvaccinated US residents who become infected during international travel.
- All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6-11 months, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .
- Travelers should seek medical care if they develop a rash, high fever, cough, runny nose, or red, watery eyes.
Measles is highly contagious. Travelers with suspected measles should notify the healthcare facility before visiting so staff can implement precautions to prevent spread within the facility.
What is measles?
Measles is a highly contagious virus that lives in the nose and throat mucus of an infected person. It can spread to others through coughing and sneezing .
The measles virus can live for up to two hours in an airspace or on a surface after an infected person leaves an area. If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected. People can spread measles up to four days before and four days after a rash.
Signs and symptoms of measles include maculopapular rash, high fever, and a cough, runny nose, or red, watery eyes.
Measles can be severe in all age groups and can lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia (infection of the lungs) and death. Several groups are more likely to suffer from measles complications, including children younger than five years of age, adults older than 20 years of age, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems, such as from leukemia or HIV infection. Common complications are ear infections and diarrhea. Serious complications include pneumonia and encephalitis (infection of the brain).